China
Illegal Surrogacy Clinics Uncovered in Changsha, 18 Penalized. Authorities in Hunan dismantled two illicit surrogacy rings in Changsha, penalizing 18 people and levying nearly 178 million yuan in fines. Six organizers were fined 158 million yuan, and two doctors were suspended for a year. Raids on May 12 found nine women in a rented house converted into a clinic with an operating room, lab, and 16 beds; videos showed staff fleeing and one unconscious patient. Surrogacy has been banned since 2001, yet demand and enforcement gaps fuel a persistent underground market. Chen Yiru, Sixth Tone, August 26
Chinese fighter jet formations will simulate ‘real-war scenario’ during military fly-past. The People’s Liberation Army will stage joint air force, navy, and army fighter jet formations simulating real combat conditions during its upcoming military parade, according to state media. The drills aim to demonstrate operational integration and modernized strike capabilities as part of China’s broader push to enhance joint warfare readiness. Enoch Wong, South China Morning Post, August 26
Japan
Tokyo lodges protests with Beijing over gas field in East China Sea. Japan protested after confirming China installed drilling rigs at contested East China Sea gas fields within overlapping EEZ claims, submitting a complaint to the Chinese embassy. The Foreign Ministry called the move “extremely regrettable” and said activity occurred on China’s side of the de facto boundary while reiterating opposition to unilateral development. The Japan Times, August 26
South Korea
Lee pledges to support U.S. push to revitalize shipbuilding during visit to Philly Shipyard. President Lee Jae Myung visited Hanwha Philly Shipyard to back U.S. shipbuilding revival and highlight the “MASGA” cooperation agenda following a White House summit. He attended the christening of the NSMV State of Maine and outlined plans for U.S. yard construction, American shipbuilding, workforce training, and MRO collaboration; Hanwha Ocean bought the yard in 2024 for 140 billion won. Kim Eun-jung, Yonhap News Agency, August 26
North Korea
North Korea’s currency crisis drives unprecedented price inflation. The dollar topped 40,000 won in mid-August, triggering sharp market inflation and widening disparities between foreign-currency holders and workers paid in won. Rice jumped from about 4,000 to 20,000 won per kilogram and corn from 2,000 to 6,000, with grain comprising roughly 70% of consumption. External shocks, sanctions, Russia ties, and domestic spending on defense and construction tightened supply, while rigid pricing makes elevated costs sticky. Jo Hyon, Daily NK, August 26
Thailand
Tropical storm Kajiki batters Phrae: multiple floods force road closures. Flooding across Phrae inundated homes and cropland, disrupting traffic and prompting safety warnings as water from Huai Mae Laeng Noi overflowed into Wiang Ta Subdistrict, Long District. Pumps were deployed near Phiriya Lai School to relieve congestion, while flooding near Ban Thung Pa Dam and Soi Watcharalanna raised evacuation alerts as canals spilled onto roads. Nation Thailand, August 26
Laos
Spike in Kratom-Related Cases Sparks Public Outcry in Laos. A surge in arrests and online sales of kratom reignited debate as new penalties threaten fines up to LAK 20 million and six months’ jail for possession or use. Cases include a 19-year-old caught with 4 kg of leaves and a 672 kg smuggling attempt; a February Vientiane crackdown targeted TikTok- and Facebook-based sellers. Article 320 classifies kratom as a narcotic plant with LAK 5–20 million fines and one to six months’ imprisonment; harsher drug penalties remain. Kheuakham Chanlivong, The Laotian Times, August 26
Cambodia
Cambodia, Mongolia discuss bilateral cooperation in key sectors. Cambodian and Mongolian officials met on the sidelines of the 10th FEALAC Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Ulaanbaatar to explore cooperation in tourism, education, trade, investment, and regional diplomacy. They agreed to promote Buddhist tourism, expand ASEAN engagement, and convene a second Bilateral Consultation in 2026. Khmer Times, August 26
Their Majesties the King and Queen-Mother meet Chinese President and spouse. King Norodom Sihamoni and Queen-Mother Norodom Monineath met President Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan in Beijing ahead of China’s WWII commemoration. Xi praised Cambodia’s support and called for stronger ties amid global uncertainty. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to building an all-weather strategic partnership and deepening bilateral cooperation. Khmer Times, August 26
Philippines
Appointments panel holds first session. Senate President Francis Escudero led the first session of the Commission on Appointments for the 20th Congress, administering oaths to 24 members and electing sub-committee chairs. The CA will review presidential appointees, including cabinet heads, diplomats, and senior military officers. Senators Villanueva and Hontiveros were named deputy majority and minority leaders, respectively. Bernadette E. Tamayo, The Manila Times, August 26
Kazakhstan
President Tokayev to pay official visit to China this week. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will visit China from August 30 to September 3 at the invitation of President Xi Jinping. His agenda includes the SCO Summit in Tianjin, business talks in Beijing, and meetings with major Chinese investors. He will also attend World War II anniversary celebrations as an honored guest. 3Fatima Kemelova, The Astana Times, August 26
Turkmenistan
Trilateral summit in Turkmenistan focuses on transport, energy, and trade. Leaders of Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan convened in Avaza to advance regional cooperation in logistics, energy, and commerce. Initiatives included expanding trade corridors, developing port infrastructure, and digitizing freight systems. Agreements covered joint energy exploration, green energy exports, and trade facilitation through unified standards and platforms. Vagit Ismailov, Times of Central Asia, August 25
Asia
Asia’s digital asset regulation at a crossroads. The US GENIUS Act (July 18, 2025) sets a stablecoin benchmark influencing Asia as Singapore, Hong Kong, and Japan embed blockchain into regulated finance; South Korea prioritizes consumer safeguards while China experiments via Hong Kong. A Minsky-style risk lens and enterprise use-cases point to durable, permissioned deployments as regulators emphasize transparency and interoperability. David Krause, East Asia Forum, August 26
East Asia
Central Media and the Local Soft Power Push. China Daily’s new cooperation pact with Shaanxi formalizes content supply, joint overseas channels, and talent pipelines, advancing central-local coordination in external messaging; Qu Yingpu and Sun Daguang officiated the August 18 signing. The initiative tracks Xi Jinping’s directive to strengthen international communication and expands the network of provincial partnerships and ICCs. David Bandurski, China Media Project, August 26
Southeast Asia
Sabah’s Ruling Coalition Navigates Treacherous Waters Ahead of Polls. GRS enters Sabah’s election weakened by dual corruption scandals totaling RM3.9 million, fractious seat bargaining, and overlapping talks with BN and PH. The coalition weighs “go solo” ambitions against a PH partnership as leaders push for more than 50 contests and a decisive mandate to avoid a repeat of 2020’s legitimacy disputes; three-cornered fights with UMNO and Warisan remain a live risk. Arnold Puyok, Fulcrum, August 26
What can Timor-Leste bring to ASEAN? Timor-Leste approaches admission with views closely aligned to regional priorities yet shows distinct readings of great-power dynamics, with 59.1% favoring the United States in a binary choice and above-average trust in ASEAN. Respondents urge principled adherence to international law on the South China Sea and want the CoC aligned accordingly, suggesting a rules-based boost to ASEAN coherence. Julia Lau and Sharon Seah, ThinkChina, August 26
ASEAN unity cracks under Trump tariff pressure. Trump’s April 2 “Liberation Day” duties and a 90-day 10% pause drove bilateral bargaining, splintering ASEAN coordination as Vietnam, Indonesia, and others cut side deals. Consensus norms slowed a collective response; proposed remedies include deeper intra-ASEAN commerce and ASEAN-GCC ties to diversify risk and leverage supply chains. William J Jones, East Asia Forum, August 27